Slides:
Slide: The foundation of a Pro-Life position is the Imago Dei.

Slide: Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Slide: All of mankind is created by God and in His image. We admire, respect, and honor the image of God in every human being.

Slide: Lessons from Philip’s ministry (Acts 8:5-8, 25-40):
Risk is an inherent part of following God.
He was sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
He saw reconciliation through the lens of the Gospel.

Slide: 2 Cor. 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know [Him in this way] no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all [these] things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Slide: Racial reconciliation is a byproduct of spiritual reconciliation.

Slide: Eph. 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," [which is] performed in the flesh by human hands-- 12 [remember] that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner [stone,] 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Slide: “If Scripture is sufficient, then it is sufficient for racial reconciliation.” (Voddie Baucham)

Slide: Matt. 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. 35 One of them, a lawyer, asked Him [a question,] testing Him, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Slides:
Life in the Grey: Being a “Pro-Life” Church

Slide: The foundation of a Pro-Life position is the Imago Dei.

Slide: Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Slide: All of mankind is created by God and in His image. We admire, respect, and honor the image of God in every human being.

Slide: What about the unborn?
Psa. 139: 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained [for me,] When as yet there was not one of them.

Slide: What about the souls of the unborn?
2 Sam. 12:22 He said, "While the child was [still] alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.' 23 "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

Slide: Abortion History: a doctrine of demons.
2 Kings 23:10 He also defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.
Jer. 32:35 "They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
1 Cor. 10:19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 [No,] but [I say] that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

Slide: Abortion history: a legacy of lies.
Margaret Sanger and the eugenics movement.
Alfred Kinsey and the sexual revolution.
The rise of political framing and the dehumanization of babies.
Slide: So what’s the role of the church?
Support the rights of the unborn and those who defend them.
Reject emotional, politically framed arguments that are contrary to the Gospel.
Teach a biblical ethic of sex, marriage, and family.
Support the single mom and the orphan.

Slide: James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. ... 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his [own] heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of [our] God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, [and] to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Slide: So what’s the role of the church?
Intervene: Adopt, foster, advocate, and support those who do.

Slide: Eph 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Slide: So what’s the role of the church?
Repent.

Slide: Dan. 9:4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. ... 8 "Open shame belongs to us, O LORD, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. ... 11 "Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him.

Slides:
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Philippians 4:10


Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:11-12


The Joy of Contentment


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13


Contentment is not what you think it is.


Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6


Contentment is not settling for what you’re stuck with, it’s unlocking the joy in what you’ve been given.


Contentment is better.


Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:6

Contentment is learned.


Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content
Philippians 4:11


Three Steps To Contentment At Its Best


Step #1
Kill Comparison


Step #2
Say The Magic Word



Step #3
Jump Ship


“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Haggai 1:5-6


Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:16-17


Challenge #1
Avoid “comparison zones” for one week.



Challenge #2
For one day - only pray THANKS.


Challenge #3
This week, take a step in giving.

Slides:

Slide 1: Grey area ministry lessons from the life of Paul:
He prioritized love for others over personal liberty. (V19)
He met people where they were. (Vv20, 21)
He considered the conscience of others, not just their outward actions. (V22)
He kept his eye on the prize. (V23)
And he did it all without playing the hypocrite!

Slide 2: “Paul was willing to offend people over the Gospel, but he wanted to offend them only over the Gospel.” David Guzik

Slide 3: Gal. 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he [began] to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how [is it that] you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

Slide 4: You will invest where you see the greatest reward.

Slide 5: It’s time to stop mourning the life you think you’ve lost or the life you think you’ll never get to live. It’s time to run!

Slides:

Slide 1: 1 Cor. 4:3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by [any] human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. ... 8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, [I] wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. ... 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, [even] until now.

Slide 2: Paul defended his right to make a living from his ministry.

Slide 3: Matt. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in [the] way of [the] Gentiles, and do not enter [any] city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ... 8 "Heal [the] sick, raise [the] dead, cleanse [the] lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for [your] journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

Slide 4: Love is greater than liberty!

Slide 5: When it comes the grey areas, sometimes you just can’t win.

Slide 6: Sometimes, the Spirit may lead YOU to a strong stance on a conscience issue for HIS purposes.

Slide 7: Don’t make your conscience issue someone else’s law!

Slides:
Slide: How do we determine a “grey” area?
No clear biblical mandate
Disagreement

Slide: Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.

Slide: Conscience – the part of man that judges between morally good and bad

Slide: A conscience can be defiled even if the person is not. But a defiled conscience powerfully affects the person.

Slide: Love is greater than liberty!

Slide: Phil. 2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not [merely] look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Slides:
Slide: What is this present distress? Is it specific or prophetic?
Possible local and/or religious persecutions

Slide: 1 Thess. 3:4 For indeed when we were with you, we [kept] telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could endure [it] no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

Slide: What is this present distress? Is it specific or prophetic?
Possible local religious persecutions
Nero’s persecution
“End times” events

Slide: Matt. 24:15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. ... 19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ... 27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Slide: The time has been shortened?

Slide: 2 Pet. 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For [ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Slide: Psa. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Slide: James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are [just] a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Slide: Matt. 24:42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think [He will.] 45 "Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

Slide: Seeing the world as it truly is should produce urgency in us!

Slide: The main point: Paul’s greatest desire is that believers be as undistracted in their devotion to the Lord as possible.

Slide: The true purpose of life is to know God and make Him known!!!

Slides:
Slide: Scripture affirms spiritual blessing in authority structures such as the family.

Slide: 1 Pet. 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any [of them] are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. ... 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 7 You husbands in the same way, live with [your wives] in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Slide: Paul’s main point: A Christian should not divorce their unbelieving spouse for anything other than adultery or abandonment.

Slide: Dating and missions do not a marriage make.

Slide: 2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Slide: Single? Married? Divorced? You’re in the army now.

Slide: 2 Cor. 5:18 Now all [these] things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Slide: 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ... 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe [them,] glorify God in the day of visitation.

Slides:

Slide: Two reminders to the single:
You’re not broken.
Singleness is not your identity.

Slide: If you’re “single and ready to mingle”, you need to get hitched.

Slide: Don’t be fooled, marriage doesn’t solve all sexual problems.

Slide: Implications to young Christians:
Don’t be afraid to marry young.
Not ready to marry? Then keep your distance!!!

Slide: Mal. 2:13 "This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts [it with] favor from your hand. 14 "Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 "But not one has done [so] who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did [that] one [do] while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied [Him?]" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

Slide: Matt. 19:3 [Some] Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful [for a man] to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 4 And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created [them] from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? 6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND [her] AWAY?" 8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry."


Slide: Paul doesn’t answer all of our questions. Some conclusions:
Don’t make divorce the unforgivable sin.
Failed already? Start here!
Don’t embrace a culture of disposable relationships.
Divorce is rarely permitted and never commanded.


Slide: Remember, marriage is designed as a picture of the Gospel!